How to Have Eternal Life. . . should I let you into my heaven?" what would your answer be? Responses by some people might be: Well, I'm basically a good person. I have tried my best to live a good life and always do what is right. I'm a devout member of the ______ church (fill in the blank with any religion or denomination). As good as these answers are, none of them are good enough reasons for you to enter heaven and live with God forever. But, God does love you. He has a plan for your life and he longs to have a personal relationship with you. But first, you need to recognize what it is that separates you from God. This is sin. What is sin? What is sin? What is sin? Sin is simply disobeying God. It's choosing your own way, instead of God's way. Since the very first sin of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, every person is born with a sinful nature, a natural tendency toward sinning. Did you ever notice that an infant does not have to be taught how to be selfish? From our earliest beginnings, our lives center around ourselves, instead of being centered on our God, our Creator. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8, If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:10 What is the result of sin? God cannot tolerate sin. God is perfect and his judgments are true. Our sinful nature separates us from God, both in this world and in the next. God cannot allow sin to enter into heaven, so our sinful nature condemns us to an eternity in hell, an eternity separated from God. For the wages of sin is death... Romans 6:23 Even if we try to be as good as we can, and do what we think is right, we can never measure up to the standard of perfection that God requires. Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:9 But, the story doesn't end there... What did God do for you? God loved us so much that he gave us the greatest gift. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16, 17 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 God sent his one and only Son into this world to be the sin sacrifice for us. Christ Jesus, the Son of God, came to this earth and lived a perfect life that we could never live. Jesus was fully God and fully man. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... John 1:1 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14 Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. Jesus took our place on the cross and paid the price for the sins of the whole world. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 Only the death of God could pay the debt caused by the sins of the whole world. Christ's death on the cross reconciled us to God, bridging the gap that was caused by our sin. Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me". John 14:6 But Jesus is not dead! The grave could not hold him. Jesus was resurrected from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. (Jesus) who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. Romans 4:25 What should you do? The only way Jesus can affect our lives, save us from our sins, and give us eternal life, is for us to receive him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. John 1:12 Repent of your sin. Repentance is more than just feeling sorry for your sin. It is a complete U-turn. It is turning away from your sin, and turning to God through Jesus. It is a desiring of God's will for your life, instead of desiring to sin. Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19 . . . Repent and turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. Acts 26:20 Place your faith in Jesus. By grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8 Faith is more than just a head knowledge about Jesus. It is not just believing facts about Jesus. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble! James 2:19 Faith is knowledge in your heart. It is placing your trust in Jesus. It is like taking a trip on an airplane. You will never make the trip until you trust the plane enough to board it. Faith is more than saying I believe; it is taking a step on your faith, and putting your trust in Jesus. Surrender to Jesus as Lord of your life. . . . That if you confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10: 9, 10 Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is more than just saying the words. Not everyone says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 7:21 To surrender is to give Jesus total control of your life. That means giving all you know of yourself to all you know of God. Failing to surrender to God is like driving a car with God in the passenger seat. As long as you are driving, you are still in control. Surrendering to God is like letting God have the steering wheel of your life and trusting him to take you where he chooses. Does this make sense to you? Would you be willing to receive God's gift of eternal life through Jesus right now? You can pray right now and receive Jesus as the Lord and Savior in your life. For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock. If anyone hears My voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20 If you call to God in repentance, putting your faith in Him, and surrendering your life to Him, Jesus will become your Lord and Savior. You can pray a prayer similar to this one: Dear Lord, I know that I am a sinner. I know that because of my sin I can not enter heaven, But you loved me so much, that you gave me Your only begotten son Jesus. Lord Jesus, I believe in my heart that you lived a perfect sinless life on this earth, and died a cruel death on the cross to pay for my sins, then on the third day after your death God raised you from the dead and now you sit at the right hand of the Father. Because you died in my place, I can have forgiveness of my sins. Lord, I confess my sins to you. I am willing to turn from my sinful nature and accept you Lord Jesus into my heart as my personal Lord and Savior of my life. Father, now I pray that you fill me with your Holy Spirit to enable me to do your will. Thank you for saving me. In, Jesus name. Amen Did you pray a prayer like the one above? If you did, and you meant it, you can be sure that you are saved and have eternal life. Now that your have become a Christian, what should you do next? If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 What's next? Your next step is to show evidence that you have given your life to Jesus by identifying yourself with him. You do this by confessing Jesus publicly, and by following his example by being baptized. Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33 As a new Christian, you are like a spiritual baby and the body of Christ (Christians) is your new family. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 2:41 In addition to confessing publicly and being baptized you can grow closer to God and strengthen your relationship with him everyday by praying, reading the Bible, and witnessing (sharing your faith with others). Prayer is talking to God. You can pray anywhere, at anytime -Either silently or out loud. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18 Reading the Bible gives you spiritual food to help you grow. If you truly love God, you will want to know what his Word says. The Bible is the record of the Word of God and by reading, memorizing, and meditating on the Bible, we can know God intimately. By reading the Bible, you allow God to speak to you in a personal way. As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby: 1 Peter 2:2 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalms 119:105 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 1 Timothy 3:16, 17 Witnessing is sharing your faith with those around you. It doesn't require that you have any special training or fancy words. Just be willing to share the good news about Jesus with those that you come in contact with, as God leads you. It is not always easy to witness. Go to God in prayer, asking for strength in witnessing so that you can boldly tell others about Jesus. But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 Please feel free to use the information contained in this page to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. It is my prayer that this information will be used to God's glory, to further the message of Jesus Christ around the world. The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6:24-26 |
| God's Plan to Get You to Heaven |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| American Christian Defense Alliance, Inc. |
| "Unleashing Potential through the Power of God!" |